Hydrometric instrument



Aug. 27, 1940. N. CHUY HYDRONETRIC INSTRUMENT Filed March 31, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TO RA DIATOR 3mm 671 u y jvz'cizozas Aug. 27, 1940. CHUY 2,212,586

HYDROMETRIC INSTRUMENT Filed larch 51,- 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 awe/WM Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNlT HYDROMETRIC INSTRUMENT Nicholas Ohuy, Leavenworth, Kane, assignor of one-half to Herbert Tsai, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 31, 1938, Serial Nd. 199,231

" 3 Claims. (01. 265 45);

This invention relates to a hydrometric instrument or means for association with the water cooling system of an internalcombustion engine so as to determine the specific'gra'vity of the cooling liquid when it contains alcohol or other antifreezing agent.

It is further aimed to provide such a means as forms a permanent part for attachment on the automobile, vessel or other vehicle,'to enable one to observe the specific gravity at a glance and constantly. i

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a view showing my improvements in connection with a fragment of an automobile engine and the instrument board;

Figure 2 is a frontelevation of the instrument board and parts mounted thereon; Figure 3 is a front elevation looking toward th instrument board, with the condenser mounted in a modified manner;

Figure 4 is a View looking'toward an automobile instrument panel, where the hydrometric device is locatedbehind the same;

Figure 5 is an enlarged substantiallylongitudinal sectional view of the device which is attached to the cylinder head;

Figure 6 is a substantially central vertical sectional View taken on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a detail section taken on the line 'l! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 6, and

Figure 9 is a detail of the mounting or connection of the device of Figure 1 to the instrument board. 7 7

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, an opening is drilled and tapped at II] in the cylinder head i! of an internal combustion engine having a water cooling system, the engine for instance being a propelling engine of an automobile or other self-propelled vehicle, the propelling engine of a vessel, or even a stationary en- I gine. The invention is for use where the vehicle 1s used in climates wherein the cooling water is apt to freeze and requires the use of alcohol and other anti-freezing liquids or media therein, to keep the engine in an operative condition.

Into the said tapped opening H], a plug I2 is screw threaded as shown, being vertically disgroove 32 is provided which is entered by a proposed. The plug is generally cylindrical and hollow, having a central tubular member I3 detachably screw threaded therein as at i i l. Detachably screw threaded at the lower extremity of the plug I2 is a closure H5, at Hi, the closure forming a seat 5 ii for an inverted conical valve it having a guide stem l9 which extends loosely into the bore or passageway 20 of the tube 13.

At the upper end of the tube It, a seat 21 is provided for a check valve 22 which tends to close 16 the passage 20. Threaded to the tube 13 as at 23 is a cap 24 from which an outlet tube or pipe 25 leads to; a cylinder or container 28 ofa hydrometric device 2?. The pipe 25 discharges into the containerZfi at a predetermined level andxfrom 15 the same. level, a return pipe 28leads tothe radiator of the internal combustionengine.

freeze, the Weight of which will thereafter cause 25 the valve it! to lower and seat. A quantity of the fluid trapped in the plug l2 due to the further heating and pressure within the plug "l2, will be forced through the bore 28, past the valve 22 and through the pipe 25 into the contai'ner 26, main- 30 taining a level at the inlet of the pipe 25 and the outlet of the pipe 28, the surplus being returned to the radiator. i

Operating freely within the container 26 is a hydrometric bulb or float of conventionalform 35 designated 29, and the movement of which is subject to the specific gravity of the fluid in the container. L-shaped guide members 3!] are rigidly connected to the hydrometer bulb 29 and such members extend through brackets 3! on the interior of the container, being slidable therein to restrain the movement of the hydrometer bulb to sliding without rotation.

' Peripherally of the hydrometer bulb, a spiral jection 33 of a floating indicator'ring 34. The periphery of the ring 3 3 is suitably calibrated as shown, so that the calibration corresponding to the specific gravity of the fluid within the container will register with a glass covered window 35 in the wall of the container 26.

As the engine operates, the passage of the fluid from the plug I2 or cooling system of the engine,

will be practically continuous through the plug, bore 20, pipe 25 and container 26, with the over- 55 flow returning through the pipe 28 to the radiator of the automobile. According to the speciflc gravity of such fluid, the portion thereof Within the container will cause the hydrometric float 2%! to rise or fall, such rising or falling being without turning due to the connections at 38-3! Such rectilinear movement of the hydrometric bulb 29 however due to the co-action of the lug 33 and groove 32, will rotate the indicator float .3 5 in the proper direction, while such float floats on the fluid in the container, indicating at its calibration in registry withwindow 35, the speciflc gravity of the fluid within the cooling system of the engine, thus apprizing the operator for guidance in replenishing or adding to the supply of anti-freeze within the cooling system. Float 29 has a guide rod 46 thereon associated with an opening 4'! in the top of the container 27.

As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the hydrometric device 2? is preferably located on the. instrument boardflil of the automobile, resting on a bracket 4| fastened thereto, the pipes and. 28 being better connected to the instrument board ii? by means of a plate 52, connecting them, and a screw 43 which is threaded therethrough and binds against the instrument board. Also, in the pipe 28 between the hydrometric device and radiator, a condenser of any suitable form as at Mi may be provided, the condenser serving to condense any of the fluid which may be in a vaporous state, to prevent liberation thereof into the atmosphere at the radiator. Asshown in Figure 3, the condenser which is here designated M, may be mounted directly on the instrument board here designated Ml.

As shown in Figure 4, the hydrometric device here designated Z'l may be mounted behind the instrument board here designated 40", with its window such as 35 in registry with a window of transparent material at 45 in the instrument board and through which the calibrations of the float 34 may be observed.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An hydrometric device comprising a container for fluid, an hydrometer tube in the fluid, means constraining the hydrometertube to travel in a rectilinear path, an indicator float on the fluid, and a pin and spiral groove connection between the tube and float to actuate the float as an indicator according to the specific gravity of the fluid. v

2. An hydrometric device comprising a container for fluid, an hydrometer tube in the fluid, means constraining the hydrometer tube to travel in a rectilinear path, an indicator float on the fluid, a pin and spiral groove connection between the tube and float to actuate the'float as an indicator'according to the specific gravity of the fluid, the first mentioned means comprising arms on the hydrometer bulb, and brackets within the container engaged by said arms, a rod rising from the hydrometer float,.and the container having a top member provided with an opening engaged by the rod, and an inlet and an outlet for said container.

3. An hydrometric device comprising a container for fluid, an hydrometer tube in the fluid, means constraining the hydrometer tube to travel in a rectilinear path, an indicator float on the fluid, and an operative connection between the tube and float to actuate the float as an indicator according to the specific gravity of the fluid.

NICHOLAS CI-IUY. 

